Where to put your modem for the best WiFi at home

Where to put your modem for the best WiFi at home

If your internet feels patchy, slow, or inconsistent, it may not be your plan, it could just be your modem placement. This guide covers everything you need to know about where to put your modem for the best WiFi coverage at home, whether you’re using Fibre or 2degrees Wireless Broadband (4G/5G). We’ll walk through placement tips, signal interference factors, and real-life solutions to common issues like dead zones and weak signal areas.

Why modem placement matters more than you think

WiFi signals travel in waves… literally. Like sound or light, those waves bounce, reflect, and get absorbed by materials in your home. Where you place your modem dramatically affects:

• Signal strength in different parts of your home
• Download and upload speeds
• Device reliability (avoiding dropouts)
• Overall coverage (reducing dead zones)

Elevate it

WiFi signals spread out and slightly downward, like a lightbulb. Placing your modem on a shelf, bench, or wall-mounted unit (ideally waist to eye level) helps it reach more of your home.

Stay central

A modem placed in the centre of your home broadcasts more evenly. In contrast, modems in corners or by outside walls waste half their signal.

Keep it in the open

Avoid hiding your modem in cupboards, drawers, or behind TVs. Obstructions weaken the signal and block airflow.

Avoid interference

Metal appliances (fridges, TVs, microwaves), aquariums, mirrors, and thick walls can block or reflect signal.

Where to put a modem in a small house

If you’re living in a compact space like a flat or townhouse:

• Choose a central wall shelf or bookcase
• Avoid placing the modem on the floor
• Keep it away from the kitchen
• Try to elevate it to match device level (e.g. near where you sit with a laptop or phone)

In a small home, even slight placement shifts like moving it from a side table to a floating shelf can improve coverage in rooms further away.

Modem placement tips for multi-room or two-storey homes

Two-storey or large homes need special attention to WiFi coverage:

• Put your modem on the ground floor, but high up (top of a bookshelf or hallway shelf)
• Ensure clear vertical line-of-sight to the upper level
• Avoid corners or floor-level cabinets
• Consider using a WiFi extender system (mesh) if you’re struggling in distant rooms

Pro tip: You don’t have to place your modem dead centre, just central to where your devices live. Got everything in the lounge and office? Place it central to that cluster.

Use open shelving

A floating shelf or open display keeps your modem elevated and visible while allowing you to build a decor story around it. Add a small succulent, a candle, or a framed photo next to it, just keep them short and off to the side.

Use decorative trays

Place the modem inside a shallow rattan or timber tray alongside other items like keys or a dish. This works well on hallway consoles or sideboards. It looks styled but still breathes.

Lean into symmetry

Modems are often rectangular. Balance their shape with similar-height decor: a small vertical frame on one side, a small plant on the other. Symmetry gives the appearance of balance and helps the modem blend into a group.

Try tonal matching

If your modem is white, consider placing it on a white shelf with light-toned decor around it. This makes the modem fade into the background while still performing well.

Hiding it in a cupboard

Closed furniture blocks signal and airflow. Even worse, many modems can overheat if stored in an unventilated space. Keep the modem out in the open.

Using metal baskets or containers

Metal can reflect or absorb WiFi signals. Instead, use open-weave baskets made from natural materials like rattan or mesh wire with wide spacing.

Wrapping it in fabric

It may look soft and subtle, but cloth wraps block ventilation and can lead to performance issues. Avoid covers unless they’re purpose-built and breathable.

Blocking the modem with decor

That large photo frame might look nice, but if it’s sitting directly in front of the modem, it’s likely weakening your signal. Position decor beside or behind the modem, not in front of it.